Year: 2017

Dec

2017

On Being a Christian

I have often heard it said that being a Christian is really hard to do. As I have pondered this for some time, I have concluded that “trying” to be a Christian is very, very, hard to do . . . in fact, it is impossible to do! Since it is impossible, I wonder why so many try to do it.

Perhaps it is that they want to have entrance into heaven, or perhaps have sins forgiven; who would not want that . . . right? Maybe they want God to bless them with good things, or to hear their prayers; perhaps they want some sort of eternal life insurance policy.

Whatever the case may be, there sure are many people trying hard to be a Christian. The unfortunate thing is this; how good they are, or how upright, nice, or generous they may be, no matter how hard they try, they will always come up short.

The truth is simple; you see no one is born a Christian.

I know, I know, there are those who believe that if we are born in a certain country, are members of a certain church that you are, by birth, Christians; well the Book, which Christianity is based on; the Bible says differently.

Jesus, the One who should know about these matters came right out and told a churchman (Pharisee) the true nature of becoming a Christian. The person’s name was Nicodemus; here is how it went down . . .

Nicodemus; not wanting to be seen by others, came to Jesus at night. When he saw Jesus, Nicodemus starting telling Jesus that he believed that he was from God, because no one could do the stuff Jesus was doing unless that was true.

Then Jesus rocks Nicodemus’ world by saying this;

“I’m telling you the truth, no one can enter the Kingdom of Heaven unless he is born again.”

WHAT! I am sure that is what old Nicodemus thought! He says to Jesus; “How can a man go back into his mother’s womb to be born again?”

Jesus then goes on to tell Nicodemus that this is not a physical rebirth, but a spiritual one. The Holy Spirit of God touches the heart of a man or woman and the spirit it reborn; that is the moment a person becomes a Christian.

It is kind of like this; the Bible says that we all have been “created in the image of God;” that means that there is a certain something of God, which is resident in us, a seed perhaps. It is significant that Jesus uses the illustration of being born again to describe what happens to us when we believe.

In the natural world, a seed from a man, finds its way to the female egg, when the two meet, in an instant, a new life begins. All the genetic information to produce another human being is locked up in those two parts; and when they meet . . . new life!

We keep seeking, searching and looking; we get closer and closer

In the spiritual world, our spirit is drawn to God by His spirit. We can sense it and it is real. We begin to explore the whole idea of God; we look at all that He created and we intuitively know there is more; something is missing, but it is hard to put our finger on it.

We keep seeking, searching and looking; we get closer and closer until we realize that we really need Him; we desire Him and with our whole heart and mind, we reach out to Him; and he reaches back.

When our spirit touches His Spirit; BAM new life; a spiritual life that is, and we are born again; it is new and it is exhilarating!

The Bible, that used to be dry and hard to read, now leaps off the pages into our heart; we begin to understand it. We start to see things through the eyes of God and we desire to be even closer to Him. We realize that he is our best friend and develop a relationship with Him and our life takes on new meaning.

Finally, when you are born again in the spirit; it is not hard to be a Christian; you realize that you are one; not because of what you do, but rather it is because of whom you know. It is ALL about Jesus; about what He did, His sacrifice, His great love for us!

Nope, being a Christian is not hard; it is what you have become; you were born into it spiritually. Living life as a Christian will be difficult, there WILL be trials, hard times, and just because you are a Christian does not exempt you from living in a dangerous world.

Here is one final illustration to help make the point. Imagine a farmer comes and plants an apple tree. He puts in the seed, waters it and it sprouts and grows into a huge tree. After a few years, it begins to produce fruit. The big, beautiful apple grows to maturity.

Now if the apple could talk; it probably would not say; “boy, it sure is hard being an apple.” Of course, not, it is what it is . . . an apple, and it does not have to struggle to be one, it was born that way.

Now to be sure; with lots of people eating apples these days, being an apple is rather dangerous, but being one . . . well, that comes naturally; so it is with those who have been born of the Spirit!

Dec

2017

Wise Men Still Seek Him

The stories surrounding Jesus birth are simply astonishing. What great lengths God went through to redeem us; amazing, simply amazing!

Each time I examine these incredible accounts of God faithfulness and mercy, I grow stronger and my faith increases.

What is faith anyway?

Hebrews 11:1

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

Faith is that “certain something” deep within our being that hopes and believes, even when the physical proof is not readily available. It is an amazing thing! Faith; this amazing element, which is as essential to us as the air we breathe, is a gift from God!

Ephesians 2:8-9

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.

Fascination sets in when I read the story of the three wise men or the three kings, and I wondered about how they acquired the faith and resolve to travel so far to see the outcome of the amazing birth we just celebrated.

Come with me, and let us look into this and see if we can find some answers . . .

Matthew 2:1-12

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.”

When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:

“But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.”

Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”

After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

Often in our Christmas scenes, we will see the shepherds along with three wise men, standing around the manger the night that Jesus was born. This description is inaccurate, as we can see by the account in Matthew, that the Magi came well after the birth of Jesus, perhaps as much as a year afterward, and the Bible says they went to a house, not a stable, to see Jesus.

The Bible also does not indicate the number of Magi that came. Tradition says three wise men, or three kings, probably because of the three gifts that are given; gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

It is likely that there were more than three Magi, and they would certainly have come with a rather large entourage. The Bible says that King Herod was “disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.” We can assume the Magi came with considerable pageantry and pomp; all this, from a country and land, not yet conquered by Caesar.

Magi were more than “wise men.” The word translated to Magi is: magos mag’-os

The original translation of this word meant “Chief Magician” but also had the implication of authority attached to it as well. You could easily infer that the Magi were prominent esteemed scholars, ambassadors, perhaps princes, representing another country or group of countries.

The fact that they came from the East is significant because some scholars believe that they came from the Orient, which would have been the Parthian Empire. The Parthian Empire spanned across most of modern-day China and parts of Russia. It was one area that the Roman Empire was unable to control.

However, a more likely origin of the Magi was from a place a little closer; perhaps modern-day Saudi Arabia or even Iran. The Bible records a visit to King Solomon by a certain Queen of Sheba. She had heard of King Solomon’s wisdom and wealth and she went to visit him.

Solomon had become king of Israel after the death of his father, King David. The Bible records an amazing encounter between Solomon and God . . .

2 Chronicles 1:7-12

That night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”

Solomon answered God, “You have shown great kindness to David my father and have made me king in his place. Now, Lord God, let your promise to my father David be confirmed, for you have made me king over a people who are as numerous as the dust of the earth. Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?”

God said to Solomon, “Since this is your heart’s desire and you have not asked for wealth, possessions or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, possessions and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have.”

God had blessed Solomon with exceedingly great wisdom and knowledge. The word about Solomon and all of his riches and wisdom was spreading across the region. The Queen of Sheba heard of this amazing man, his wisdom and wealth, and decided to go and see for herself and meet this man, Solomon.

Here is an excerpt from her encounter with Solomon.

1 Kings 10:1-7

When the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon and his relationship to the Lord, she came to test Solomon with hard questions. Arriving at Jerusalem with a very great caravan—with camels carrying spices, large quantities of gold, and precious stones—she came to Solomon and talked with him about all that she had on her mind.

Solomon answered all her questions; nothing was too hard for the king to explain to her. When the queen of Sheba saw all the wisdom of Solomon and the palace he had built, the food on his table, the seating of his officials, the attending servants in their robes, his cupbearers, and the burnt offerings he made at the temple of the Lord, she was overwhelmed.

She said to the king, “The report I heard in my own country about your achievements and your wisdom is true. But I did not believe these things until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half was told me; in wisdom and wealth, you have far exceeded the report I heard.

Indeed, the Bible declares that kings from all over the world would come bearing gifts, seeking an audience with Solomon. It is likely that Solomon would give copies of writings of the time; perhaps he gave scrolls of the scriptures and even copies of his own writings regarding wisdom.

The “Magi” of the countries would be certain to explore those writing with careful attention; after all, the God of Israel was giving such favor and wealth to a single king; perhaps if they could get to know this God, they too would find blessing beyond measure!

Now, going back to the story of Jesus; imagine that you are in Israel, a year out from His birth, and the great census, which in large part had to do with increasing the military strength of Rome. The city of Jerusalem was on the very edge of the Roman Empire, the outback if you will.

Now here comes a large group of prominent princes and men of authority from an empire that Rome had yet to conquer, showing up on your doorstep, looking for the Baby born “King of the Jews.”

Now you can begin to understand why the Bible says; “When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.” This was a big deal!

The ramifications of another Empire sending these people to your city, could very well mean an invasion was forthcoming, but the idea that they were looking for the One to be the “King of the Jews” was more than Herod could take; he was the current acting King of the Jews!

Herod was the appointed “King” over this region, and if there was another king born, his rule would be in jeopardy; furthermore, Herod knew what Caesar did to those who would allow other “kings” to rule without his direct approval.

We know that Herod pretended to be interested in worshipping the Baby King too, and told the Magi to make a careful search and report to him, which of course they did not!

The Magi; warned in a dream, did not to go back to Jerusalem; but left the region by another route. Herod was furious! In order to make sure that there was no threat to his rule; he ordered the death of every male child up to the age of two.

Now, regarding the Magi, I find it odd, that it was the Magi, who understood the prophecies of the Messiah’s birth, and the Jewish Pharisees, scribes, and priests missed it!

There is only one rather hidden clue concerning the timing of the birth of a Messiah. While the Bible does have many prophecies concerning the birth of Jesus, there is only one obscure verse, which indicates a star would lead the way.

Numbers 24:17

“I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel. . .”

The Magi saw a star and followed it to the location of Jerusalem, which was about 10 miles from Bethlehem. It would only be natural for them to go to Jerusalem and ask the religious authorities where they could visit the Christ Child.

No doubt Herod said to these important powerful representatives, make yourself at home, rest a bit, and I shall return with your answer. The Bible says; “. . . he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born.” I would have loved to have been a mouse in that room!

I find it fascinating that those who should have understood what the significance of what the star meant; which by the way was visible not only to the Magi, but to everyone in the hemisphere, missed it . . . I wonder why?

The church of that day was caught up in the political theater; trying hard to please Herod and Caesar and was compromising their faith. The church was so engrossed in the current worldly affairs, that they missed the Birth of the Messiah! Some thirty years later they would miss it again!

The Magi, however, had heard stories of the greatness of the God of Israel. The stories of the God of Israel were revered, and a few of the surrounding kingdoms remembered those stories and made it a part of their tradition to keep an eye on Israel. To watch out for the prophecies concerning the God of Israel, unfortunately, the very keepers of the Law and the Prophets in Israel did not have the same concern.

Thirty years later when the grown-up Son of God began to affect the region once again, the very people who should have recognized Him, did not! Still caught up in the worries of the day; more interested in their self-preservation, their opulent lifestyles, and the illusion of power and fame, they missed the Savior . . . again!

The present-day church, just like the church of Herod’s day, is a caught up in the political drama too; absorbed by the worldliness of our culture; enamored by wealth, and the acquisition of power.

The church was not alert when Jesus was born, and the church was not being watchful when He was among them as an adult; they actually crucified Him! I wonder if the present day church will be on the lookout for His return; Jesus said that most would not . . .

Matthew 24:37-39

As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.

The Magi were not Jewish, were not Christians, nor were they any part whatsoever of Israel, they were heathen people; they were sinners looking for the Messiah. In their quest, the Lord directed them to the very One they longed to see; God in His mercy and grace led them forward, showing the way, with a star in the sky.

If you happen to be seeking the God of Israel, do not stop! Keep following, seeking and looking, and the God you seek will lead you! The Old Testament Book of Jeremiah gives a great promise to you:

Jeremiah 29:13-14

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the LORD. . .”

The Magi, seeking God with all their heart; found God, and were never the same! If you are seeking to find God . . . you are going to find Him because He wants you to; He has given you the gift; the gift of faith to believe!

Dec

2017

Money, Money, Money

There sure is a great deal of emphasis on the acquisition of money and economic gain these days. It seems to fill the hearts and minds of most folks. The recent tax adjustments made by the government, appear to have the potential to create extra income for many people.

Economic growth and financial success could be beneficial, however, we need to be very careful not to place too much trust and hope in those increases.

We have to ask; what is the reason we desire to have more and more money. Is it so we can live a more luxurious life, so we can have the biggest house, the fanciest car, or the biggest bank account?

Too often, we gauge the success of a person, based on the amount of money they can access, or on the quantity of “things” they own; neither of these is an accurate gauge of one’s worth.

He scrimped and saved to make ends meet

I knew a man who never really had a great deal of money and he always scrimped and scraped to provide for his family. He traveled the countryside to find a place he could call his own.

After several years of looking, he found a small property and decided to rent it; he did not have the money to buy.

He worked part-time jobs, even selling Fuller Brush shoe products to make ends meet. He worked day shift and night shift jobs as his family grew. His family expanded; and so did the need to provide.

In order to meet the growing need, he took what little he had saved and bought a small Farmall tractor so he could till the 2-acre patch of land in his backyard.

He planted vegetables, strawberries, and even raspberries. He and his wife would can hundreds of quarts of produce to carry them through the winter months; having a little extra to sell.

He put together a small fruit and vegetable stand out by the roadside and taught his kids how to sell the vegetables for a few extra bucks.

As the years went by, he was eventually able to purchase the home he had rented for all those years. The fruit and vegetable stand would help pay the taxes on that property.

His children did not have many of the luxuries of this world, but they had food to eat and a safe home to grow up in. They learned the value of hard work, the importance of strong family relationships, and the blessings that flowed from a home full of love.

He always wished he could have done more

Many years later, as the children grew up and began leaving the nest; the father came to one of his kids and lamented; “You know, I always wished I could have given you kids more than I did; I tried my best, but this little 3 acre plot was all I could do.”

The son looked at the father and said; “But Dad, look around, you gave us all of this.” The son pointed to the beautiful mountains surrounding the little homestead, he pointed to the scenic little river behind the house and reminded his father of the countless hours of joy the kids had exploring those mountains and swimming in the creek.

He reminded the father of the safety of this little village we called home, the love and affection that mom and dad gave all the kids.

No dad, we had far more than most, even though in the eyes of the world we were poor; that is just not true; we were rich beyond measure.

That father was a success story; did he have great wealth . . . no, but he was rich in so many ways. Money could never have bought the things that really mattered.

Money cannot purchase respect or love. It cannot purchase loyalty or the satisfaction of hard work. Money cannot purchase faith in God, nor can it buy you entrance into heaven! No, money is fleeting, and over time it disappears and all you have is an empty wallet.

Use caution when pursuing financial gain

So be careful about chasing after money and material, because you risk losing everything if you do. The Bible says:

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Timothy 6:10

It is okay to have money, and even lots of it; keeping it all in perspective is what counts. If your main aim is the acquisition of money for the sake of personal gain, then you are on a dangerous pathway.

Envy, greed, and selfishness are anxious to collaborate with you in your financial endeavors. Use extreme caution as you pursue economic gain.

The goal of the man referenced in my story was not financial gain, but rather a safe, caring, and healthy home for his family.

He was a stunning success in his efforts to provide such a dream. Oh, and did I mention this man was my father.

Thanks, Dad!

Dec

2017

A Special Christmas

I remember as a child the days leading up to Christmas, the anticipation, the wonder, and the joy of it all. I remember the families coming together, the food that was shared, and Oh, the presents!

I remember one Christmas in particular, that stands out above all the rest.

A family had moved into our rural neighborhood, and I quickly became friends with all of the kids. It was a great summer, and we loved to “hang out” at the new family’s home.

As Christmas drew near, I noticed a lack of decorations and a tangible sense of uneasiness surrounding this new family that I had grown to love. I wondered what was wrong.

One day, I overheard the father say to his wife, “I don’t know how we can get any gifts this year” as I peaked around the corner, I could see tears in his eyes! The father was confined to a wheelchair, and the mother had yet to find a good job.

I realized that this family would not have any Christmas at all, and that was why everyone seemed so sad. I remember going home that day with a very heavy heart, and now my Christmas was going to be sad too.

I talked to my dad about this and asked him what we could do. My dad suggested that maybe we could look around and find some good things to give this family for Christmas.

So, we began to search through our home, all of us got involved. We found lots of good things, some were even new! Dad called the other families in our neighborhood, and pretty soon, everyone was in on it.

The whole neighborhood got involved

I will never forget the night before Christmas, when we took a pick-up truck that was overflowing with wrapped gifts, covered with bows, and drove up to my friend’s house.

We knocked on the door, and when it opened we created a line from the truck to the door and started passing gifts into the house.

The father came wheeling out on the porch in his wheelchair, tears streaming down his face; we were all crying…tears of joy and hope.

What a Christmas! I will never forget it!

What are you doing this year for Christmas? Is there a family who needs some love in your neighborhood? Why not create a memory this year for Christmas?

Do some brainstorming, and see if you can’t start something. Perhaps you can make a difference in someone’s life this year.

Remember . . . Jesus is the reason for the Season!

Dec

2017

Three Christmas Trees

Christmas was always a very big deal at the Pifer house. As I recall, it was my mother, who set the tone for this holiday. Pulling off an amazing Thanksgiving Dinner was just a “warm-up” for mom!

The week after Thanksgiving, it seemed as though she kicked into high gear. Mom would start baking every conceivable goody you could imagine; all kinds of fudge, mouthwatering peanut brittle, cookies by the basket full. She made gingerbread cookies and even gingerbread houses!

She would make these things she called “gobs;” she took two small fluffy chocolate cakes and put the most delectable cream sandwiched inside . . . these were just too good!

Not only would she be baking up a storm, she would begin decorating; to say mom was into Christmas would be an understatement.

Mom always wanted the perfect Christmas tree

There was a point of contention that came up almost every year and that was the dreaded “Christmas Tree.” You see, mom always desired to have a nice, as we called it, store-bought Christmas tree. You know; the kind they sell every year; the ones perfectly shaped and easy to decorate.

Mom got this desire for the perfect tree, from her own mother; we called her, Nana. While I never spent a Christmas with Nana, mom would show us pictures of her Christmas trees . . . they were stunning, just stunning.

Mom always wanted to get a tree worthy of decorating, and it was rare that she got one like that. You see, my dad had a hard time throwing down good money for something that would only be used for a few weeks and then burned out in the backyard.

Dad would say something like; “I’ll be dad-burned if I’ll spend good money on a Christmas tree when we are surrounded by the forest. I’ll go out and cut one down; which he often did!

Some of the trees he would come home with were atrocious!
Well, one particular Christmas, mom was determined to get a store-bought tree.

I think my dad was anticipating her request and thought he would hurry up and go out in the woods and get her a tree before she had a chance to ask him for a store bought one.

The tree dad brought home, was one of the ugliest trees we ever saw! It was too short and had huge gaps in the branches! No matter how you turned the tree, it looked awful! Mom told dad, “Moe, you get that tree out of the living room and go down to Sterling Run and get me a real Christmas tree!”

Dad goes for a store-bought Christmas tree.

Dad, knowing he had been had; grumbled and said, “Oh all right.” So dad took the tree outside and jumped in his truck and roared off to Sterling Run; about 3 miles away to pick up a store-bought tree!

He went down and picked out a beautiful Scotch pine, tossed it into the bed of the pickup truck, threw a rope around in and hurried home. What he did not know, was that after about a quarter mile, the wind caught the tree and it fell out of the back of the truck.

The rope, which was tied to the truck, had a large knot on the other end, and it just so happened that the knot was stuck between two branches near the base of the Christmas tree. So dad blistered home about sixty miles an hour with the tree dragging 10 feet behind the truck.

Mom, anxiously waiting for her beautiful tree, was waiting for dad to return. Looking down the road, here comes dad; driving the old International pick-up truck, barreling around the corner. Something just did not look right though; where was the tree!

Mom steps off the porch as dad wheels into the driveway; dad still clueless about the tree. Mom, walking towards the truck, stops as dad comes to a halt; with her hands on her hips, says in a loud voice; “Moe, what did you do!”

Dad jumps out of the truck saying loudly; “well, I went and got you your tree!” He spun around to untie the tree, only to see it on the ground, hardly a pine needle left on it!

Now, dad was not one to blush, but I am sure his face turned several different shades of red; not sure, if he was embarrassed or angry! Mom just stood there, arms crossed, trying hard not to burst out laughing!

Yep, that was the year we had three Christmas trees; mom got a real nice store-bought tree to boot!

Oh, the memories!

Dec

2017

Indescribable Gift

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

Well, it won’t be long now, soon Christmas Day will be upon us; the greatest birthday party ever! We will be celebrating the most wonderful, most amazing event in the history of mankind; the Birth of our Savior!

Gifts will be exchanged, the Christmas Story will be read, and we will all come together because of Jesus. Even families that do not know Jesus get in on it!

What a miracle Christmas is!

When we stop to consider what God has done, we come away stunned!

The Old Testament Scriptures resound with the prophetic words of Isaiah:

Isaiah 9:2

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.

The people of Isaiah’s day were desperate people, many of them walking in hopelessness and despair; seemingly meaningless lives, being lived out under the oppression of wicked rulers.

During the time of Jesus’ birth, the people were living under the thumb of Herod the Great, and were also very difficult and trying times. Taxes were too high, the demands of Rome were exceedingly harsh, and those who administered justice were often cruel, and extortionary in their tactics.

It was in this world of hopelessness and despair that God brought forth His One and Only Son!

Galatians 4:4-5

But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.

Times have not changed all that much, and for many people today, perhaps even you, life is a grind, a meaningless existence, a pointless journey to a place called death, and you may wonder; is there any real meaning in life?

I spoke with a man just recently and I asked him and his wife if they were ready for Christmas; his reply brought sadness to my heart. He said; “It’s just another day to me, like any other.”

The fact is; there is no other Day like it! It is an incredible Day, a Day in which the God of the universe humbled Himself and was born in a manger, surrounded by the poorest of the poor. It was the result of the Holy Spirit’s Seed, mingling with the seed of a young woman, resulting in the One and Only Son of God being born.

No, there is no other Day like it ever, and we will celebrate it!

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

God has given us the most incredible gift; the gift of Life by giving His Son.

Let’s take a few minutes together today to read that remarkable story. . .

Luke 2:1-20

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

I hope you will read that story again Christmas morning, before you open a present, and relive the wonder of that glorious Day when God sent His son into this world. And give thanks to God. . .

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

What about this Gift God sent? Do we really need it? Is it for you?

The Bible tells us that “sin” which is defined as; transgression of the divine law; is something that every one of us is guilty of. We do not have to look hard to realize that all of us have sinned (Broken God’s Law) at one time or another.

The Bible says;

Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

Sin entered mankind way back in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve were tempted by Satan, and they gave into temptation and sinned against God’s law!

His law to them was; “you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.”

This problem of sin, which originated with Satan, created a serious situation, which called for drastic measures.

First, there MUST be consequences for satan’s sin.

A just and loving God could never ignore such a thing, and by His very nature must take action against sin. So God created a place for Satan and the angles that followed him.

According to Matthew 25:41 God has: prepared an eternal fire for the devil and his angels.

This is a literal place, a real place for Satan to reside for eternity, and the angels that follow him. To sin against God is a terrible thing, and it deserves a punishment fitting of the crime! The devil and his angels will be punished accordingly!

Secondly, there must be consequences for man’s sin

Genesis 3:16-19

To the woman, he said, “I will greatly increase your pains in childbearing; with pain you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.”

To Adam, he said, “Because you listened to your wife and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, ‘You must not eat of it,’ “Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil, you will eat of it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field.

By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust, you will return.”

Indeed, death certainly touched man because of sin. We have been struggling with sin ever since, and it has affected everything in the universe.

But God has a plan! You see; according to the Gospel of John:

John 3:16

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

This is the very reason that Jesus came into the world! He came so that we could have eternal life. That our sins (which are many) could be forgiven!

Romans 6:23

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Jesus is the ultimate expression of God’s love for us! Jesus is God’s gift to us; this is why we celebrate!

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

How does one appropriate this incredible gift of life? The Scripture on Romans blazes the way!

Romans 10:8-10

But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

Do you believe? Do you have faith to believe? God says you do, and that also is a gift from Him

Ephesians 2:8-9

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.

Well, there you have it!

Will you receive this great gift, and walk in ALL the Light it brings?

Like any gift, it has little value unless it is received, embraced, and taken in. Imagine taking the time and effort to purchase a special gift for one of your children.

The big day comes, and you present them with the present. They look over the gift, shake it a little, then set it down and simply tell you; “it looks good dad, but I really don’t think I will open it.”

How would you react? How does God react when we do the same thing when presented with His indescribable Gift!

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

So, a few closing thoughts. No one really likes to talk about hell; many people really don’t even believe that it exists; and if it did exist, God would never send good, kind and caring people there!

The fact is, He does not send people there; they go there of their own free will. Hell was prepared for Satan and his angels; it was never intended for humans.

God went to extraordinary lengths to redeem fallen mankind and offer forgiveness and a place in heaven with Him. One of the greatest gifts God ever gave mankind, was the ability to chose.

Unfortunately, many people chose to live a life contrary to all God has offered; renown author and pastor Max Lucado put it this way:

“Consider, then, this explanation of hell: Hell is the chosen place of the person who loves self more than God, who loves sin more than his Savior, who loves this world more than God’s world. Judgment is that moment when God looks at the rebellious and says, “Your choice will be honored.”

How about you? The gift has been given and placed at your feet . . . what are you going to do with it? The God who gave it is hoping with expectant hope, that you will open it; if you chose not to, He will honor your choice.

Chose well

Dec

2017

Christmas Lights – Is Your Candle Lit?

Every Christmas, hundreds of homes are decorated with fancy, glittering, dazzling lights, and the beauty of those Christmas lights are really something to behold. Everyone wants to get in on it!

Some folks will put a short little string of lights on a porch, while others have homes that are ablaze with lights! I have seen homes that are so adorned with lights, that if you drive by at night you would think you were in Las Vegas!

As Christmas nears, I was thinking about Christmas lights, and I marvel how some folks put so much effort into this; and obviously a great deal of time and money too!

As I look at Christmas lights, I am reminded that the Bible speaks about lights, too.

Check these Bible passages out:

John 1:1-9

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him, nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.

There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light so that through him all men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.

Here is another, very familiar passage . . .

John 3:16-21

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.”

And one more passage . . .

John 8:12

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Through the Words of Jesus, it is clear; that He is THE Light, and He has come into the world! He truly is the Light of the world! In Him, there is NO darkness at all!

A funny thing about light and especially His light; is that light illuminates!

The Dictionary defines “light” as; something that makes things visible or affords illumination: . . . And the definition for “illuminate” is; “to make lucid or clear”

Light drives out darkness

Light exposes darkness; actually illuminates it, so there is no darkness. If you go into a dark cave and turn on the light, guess what; it is no longer dark! Light dispels darkness; when light shines, there is NO darkness, it is gone; you could say that the darkness flees from the light!

The problem with lighting a dark cavern is that there are things in that cave, that are not accustomed to the light, and when light comes flooding in, the dark “creepy crawlies” get anxious, nervous, and some will actually flee!

Have you ever gone into a darkened basement, and flick on a bright light. If you pay attention, the second that light comes on, there are “things” that quickly move out of sight!

The heart of man is a dark place too; dark like a cave, or a chilly, shadowy basement; Jesus reminds us . . .

Matthew 15:19-19

For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.

When light is poured into a cave, the recesses, nooks, and crannies, are clearly seen. A person is now able to safely navigate through what was dark and dangerous because now it is illuminated.

When light pours into the heart of man, the wickedness of his heart is revealed. The difference between a man and a cave is that a man has a choice. Jesus, the Light of the World, or darkness; Life or death, blessing or cursing.

According to Jesus’ own Words;

Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.

Too many times a man, especially a proud man, will not allow his heart to be fully illuminated. He begins well enough, and a ray of divine Light touches his heart, and Jesus begins to explore the caverns deep within.

Filthy places are uncovered, and the “creepy crawlies” get nervous. For some people, the light is too great, and they begin to retreat, begin to shut the light out.

The man or woman, who begins to shut out the light, will often begin to criticize the very people that have brought the light to them. Husbands lash out at wives, wives lash out at husbands. People in ministries are verbally assaulted, and negativity flows from the darkness of the heart.

Many in this condition find it impossible to say anything truly positive about the light, and about those who carry the light.

They will quickly take on the characteristics of the author of darkness and begin to do what he does. Referring to Satan, the Bible calls him the “accuser of the brethren.”

This is what they did to Jesus; those who refused the light, railed at Jesus, they made false accusations about Him and eventually killed Him by nailing Him to a Cross.

If you are currently being assailed for being a light in a dark place, then PRAISE GOD!

For those who will walk in the Light, with Jesus, He gives you some encouragement. Don’t shrink back! Listen to His words! Jesus has already said that He is the “Light of the World.”

Now, Jesus passes that mantle into you!

Matthew 5:14-16

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

You and I are called to be Christ’s Lights!

God has lit your candle, and he says to you . . . SHINE! Light up a dark place! Set your light on a hill, uncover it, and let the whole world see it!

Dec

2017

A Christmas Story

Christmas has arrived so quickly this year! Perhaps it’s the “age thing” or the “busy-ness” of life, whatever the case may be, Christmas is here!

One of the things I like to do each year, to help me spiritually as Christmas nears, is to read and re-read the Christmas story from the Bible.

I often begin reading these accounts in late October and early November. I like to go to the Old Testament and read Isaiah’s account of the coming Savior (Isaiah 9:2 – 7) not forgetting to look at Micah 5:2, for the reference to Bethlehem, as the place of His birth.

I also love the account in the New Testament from Matthew 1:18-25 and Luke 2:1-20, each giving their own flavor to what took place.

While I know I have read these accounts dozens, if not hundreds of times, I never tire of reading them. Each time my heart leaps with joy, and my mind races with wonder, as our great God engages the most miraculous plan ever!!!

I am bedazzled by the audacity of His move. To usher in the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, by allowing Himself to be born and raised by imperfect parents, is beyond imagination! What risk! What adventure! Talk about shock and awe, my God is the author of it all!

My whole being revels in the story each time I read it. I feel as though I was kidnaped by an evil marauding pirate and trapped in a dungeon on a faraway island with no hope of escape.

The ocean was too far and my rescuers could not make the journey. Even if I could escape on my own, I would only be re-captured and sent back to the dark recesses of the gloomy den; only darkness, evil, and despair awaited me! Who would be my rescuer?

Alas, rather than come with warships and armor to my rescue, He devised a plan to enter the dungeon with me, and make the extraction from within, not from without! The plan was risky, fraught with danger!

In spite of the risks; the dangers inherent in this plan, He came anyway!

I recall in vivid details the day I woke up in that dark dungeon to find the Master standing there, with arms open wide, His face beaming with joy, beckoning me to come.

I could hardly believe my eyes, it was Him in all His glory, looking at me, in my sin and disgrace. I could hardly look at Him, I felt so ashamed! I expected words of condemnation, criticisms, and punishment, as that was all I ever received while locked in this frightful dungeon.

Instead, He lifted me up, then gently opened the shackles on my feet and hands. He tenderly began to bring light to my darkened eyes, and we began our journey out of the dungeon into His kingdom.

He has never once been critical of me, has never judged me as unworthy, nor has He spoken evil of me in any way. He continues to be my very best Friend!

How about you? Has the Savior been to your dungeon yet?

This Christmas, as we celebrate the wonder and the joy, let the Master free you, and allow Him the joy of a complete rescue on your behalf; after all, He risked everything for you.

God is Awesome

Nov

2017

The Upward Way

The Upward Way, Pressing onward to Christ

There seems to be an instinctive desire for human beings to go “up.” My earliest remembrance of this desire to be “up” was in the kitchen, of all places. My mother was an awesome cook. Every day she would spend several hours in the kitchen preparing meals for the day.

I can recall getting underfoot frequently, so mom came up with a marvelous solution to that problem; she would set me on the kitchen counter, where I could watch with glee as she scurried about the kitchen.

I was now “seated” in a special realm that was awesome. I now had a new perspective of what mom was up to; instead of looking at the pockets of her apron, I could now see into her eyes as she came by, grabbing ingredients from the cupboard; how very special this was for me!

As I got older, I learned how to climb trees and I would tackle every tree in the yard; going up as high as I could!

We had a big old White Pine in the backyard and dad helped me build a tree house in the branches near the top; it was amazing! Once into the tree house, I had a bird’s eye view of the whole yard!

As I got braver, I started climbing a large pine tree in the front yard; it was the tallest we had! Standing about 45 feet, I would climb all the way to the top where the tree was only about the 3 inches in diameter!

The tree would sway when the wind blew and was a little scary! However, from that perch, I could see nearly a half mile in any direction, I could see all the way to the creek behind our house; I could watch the whole neighborhood; listening to the conversations, and hearing laughter as kids played.

As I got older, I was compelled to climb the mountain behind our house; to an outcropping of rocks at the top. Once you got out on this rock ledge, you could see several miles in either direction. The whole valley was laid out down below; it was amazing!

The desire to go “up” has never left me; even recently, while driving with my wife Sherri and our grandson, I spied Sandy Ridge Fire Tower in the distance. We drove through the dirt roads for several miles and there it was! I climbed all the way “up” to the top! It was awesome!

So I have been pondering for the last few days, reminiscing about those years growing up; it dawned on me that the desire to “go up” is a desire that God Himself has placed in every human heart.

Oh I know, some of you are shaking your head NO, you have acrophobia, a fear of heights, and I understand that! Yet you have to admit, we are fascinated with going “up.”

Mankind has scaled Mount Everest, for no other reason that it is the tallest; we are now trying to head out into deep space; we are compelled to go “up, up and away!”

Why do we do this? We do it because we want to see more, learn more, reach more; we want perspective, so we expend all our energies upward!

The same desire compels us spiritually, to go higher too!

We long for new spiritual perspectives; to get closer to God, to learn more, get nearer, reaching higher and higher. We learn that it is God Himself that places this desire in our hearts.

For those who have come to faith in Jesus and brought into His family; we are told that we have been seated with Him in the heavenly realms!

“And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6 NIV)

We have been placed on the counter-top of heaven if you will. We are given new perspective and can see things as they are and as they should be.

From this new position, we can see the trials and struggles on earth in a whole new light; heaven is our home and earth is our mission field; this new perspective changes everything!

An old hymn leaps into my heart . . . if you know it, sing it with me . . . if it is new to you, click this link and enjoy!

Higher Ground

I’m pressing on the upward way,

New heights I’m gaining every day;

Still praying as I onward bound,

“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”

Lord, lift me up and let me stand

By faith on Canaan’s tableland;

A higher plane than I have found,

Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.

My heart has no desire to stay

Where doubts arise and fears dismay;

Though some may dwell where these abound,

My prayer, my aim, is higher ground.

I want to live above the world,

Though Satan’s darts at me are hurled;

For faith has caught the joyful sound,

The song of saints on higher ground.

I want to scale the utmost height

And catch a gleam of glory bright;

But still I’ll pray till rest I’ve found,

“Lord, lead me on to higher ground.”

I’ll see you on the UP-side!

Nov

2017

At the Crossroads

In Western Pennsylvania, we are well into the hunting season and the white-tailed deer and black bear are on the menu! I have spent countless hours chasing down the allusive whitetail; they are amazing animals.

Having grown up in Cameron County, Pennsylvania, I can attest to the fact that we have some of the most picturesque landscapes in the state! Many of the mountains we have are amazingly steep and treacherous.

If you find yourself on the side of one these steep inclines while the ground is wet or snowy, you could be in real trouble!

However, if you look carefully, even on the steepest slopes, you will find a deer path headed out across the steep mountainside. Some of these deer paths have taken centuries of deer hoofed travel, to become so deeply worn into the steep mountain.

The truth is these paths are the best routes to take; they are time-tested to be the safest, surest and most direct route to carefully get these critters from point A to B.

The Bible seems to have a similar strategy for us to follow as well

This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. Jeremiah 6:16

There seems to be an increasing number of popular “Christian” teachings out there, which are leading many astray.

New ideas about the Scriptures, what they mean, and new prophetic voices clamouring for attention; many of these “new” teachings lead us down a path that may be rather precarious; we need to be extraordinarily careful.

Someone once said . . .

About the Bible – If it’s something new – It’s probably not true. And if it’s true, it’s probably not new!

How can we guard against being misled? There is so much teaching going on today, and much of it is fraught with error, some blatant, some subtle; but an error nonetheless.

There are some good guidelines that will help us from falling into the snare of the devil; if we will follow them.

A very influential Christian man, John Wesley, founder of Methodism, came up with a brilliant, 4-fold idea, that would keep us all on track; let’s take a glance at it today!

They are; Scripture, Tradition, Experience, and Reason

Scripture:

As we engage this incredible time in history, we MUST be students of the Bible. Scripture is the ONLY reliable source for determining whether a certain teaching is of God or not.

By the way, we live in a country where getting your hands on a Bible is as easy as going to Wal-Mart. There are countries today, modern countries, where owning a Bible could land you in jail . . . or worse!

The Scriptures (God’s Word) can be applied to every area of life, indeed the Bible declares . . .

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16

To be thoroughly equipped takes time and effort; consistent study of the Word of God requires a bit of discipline. Too many times we take for granted that the one speaking knows what he or she is talking about.

It is your obligation to check it out; too much hinges on whether they are telling you the truth or not, and you will give an account of what you believe to be true.

When you stand before Jesus and look into His eyes, you will not be able to use false teaching as an escape mechanism, you are responsible. I too will look into His eyes and give an account as well, but I will not be able to speak on your behalf, you are responsible for your own salvation.

You need to be like the people mentioned in the Book of Acts 17:11

Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.

Once you have thoroughly searched the Scripture for answers, we can take a look at the following three areas to further help us to understand whether the doctrine is of God or not.

Tradition:

We have over 2000 years of tradition behind us to look at and study.

While NOT Scripture, the men and women down through the ages have had to wrestle with the very same issues we are wrestling with today. The Bible again gives us insight into this:

What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun. ¹⁰ Is there anything of which one can say, “Look! This is something new”? It was here already, long ago; it was here before our time. Ecclesiastes 1:9-10

We can look back across history and read about how others faced these issues; it helps us to clarify the Scriptures and gives light to the topics at hand.

We need to be mindful that it is the Word of God that is the bottom line, NOT tradition, but we do not throw out several thousand years of Biblical tradition because we have “found something . . . “new . . . under the sun.”

Experience:

Dr. Vic Reasoner, a noted theologian well known for his scholarship and writings says;

“We believe in heart-felt salvation, but we are not interested in seeking any experience the Scriptures do not command us to seek. We contend for the direct witness of the Holy Spirit, but we do so, on the basis that it is promised in the New Testament. I have no authority to preach my experience and you are under no obligation to seek my experience.”

It is one thing to preach the truth of the Gospel, but another to actually experience what you preach.

If the Bible does NOT clearly teach that we should experience; “this or that” thing, then we should be cautious.

This is NOT legalism, as some are thinking, just good common sense, so as to help us from falling into error.

And lastly;

Reason:

When we come to church we do not put our brain on the hat rack! We appeal to common sense and a certain amount of reasoning as we come together. We do not try and rationalize everything either. It was not by logical deduction that you found Christ, but it was by faith!

When you tried rational thinking to understand God, you came up short. God revealed Himself to you through His Word, and faith sprang up and you believed!

While we believe that we are to be a people of faith, we should not engage in “mental gymnastics” either. Common sense and reason will be valuable if we use them properly, after all, they are a gift from God.

We will never be able to rationalize everything we see, but we should not be so gullible that we toss out reason and common sense either.

There will be many things we do not understand.

Conclusion:

We are in the “last days” and there will be much deception in and through the church, Jesus warned us! You can use these 4 principles to keep yourself from getting into trouble. Remember what the Good Book says . . .

“Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls”

Nov

2017

Mocked

The recent senseless destruction leveled against a gentle Christian congregation has left our nation stunned. Tremendous questions that are difficult to answer emerge?

Why would God allow this to happen?

What motivates a person to be so full of hate that they would do such a thing?

The tragic way that death comes; whether at the hands of a lone deranged lunatic, or a band of Isis fighters, causes us to recoil. The level of hatred and evil is intense today, and according to Jesus, will be on the increase.

“Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold . . .” (Matthew 24:12 New International Version)

When these questions come to mind, we find the answers are fleeting. So, the Christian responds by doing what they have been instructed by their God to do, and that is to pray.

We call out to God asking Him those questions; we call out to God for extra grace to forgive those who would harm us. We call out to God on behalf of those who have suffered heart-wrenching loss. We call out to God!

Our public, prayerful response, often brings a swift and heartless rebuke from people who have no faith, no God, and no hope.

We are mocked on account of our faith, our prayers, and our forgiving heart. Pundits take to the stage and scoff at our backward, silly ways. They shout out

“Where is your God?” Where was He when the man came and shot up the church? Where is your God now?

Those who are faithful to Christ know exactly where God was and what He is doing. He is on a mission to redeem a broken and fallen world. We know that those who have come to Jesus by faith are redeemed, rescued and brought into the family of God.

These rescued ones have been given everlasting life and at the moment of death are immediately in the presence of God Himself.

So, what are we to do about the ugly attacks on our Christian character and our foolish praying to an unseen God? I have seen dozens of Christians take to Facebook and other social media platforms and they enter into a debate; trying to reason with those who would mock them. It is really quite unfruitful to do this.

I have witnessed some Christians become defensive and rude, even getting crude in statements to those who would condemn their faith.

Jesus reveals how we should react when we are mocked and ridiculed on account of following Him, and it is quite different than what I see taking place today.

Jesus said something amazing about this . . .

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way, they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:11-12)

The word Greek word “agalliaō” which we translate rejoice, literally means to “jump for joy.” So when in the course of your journey with Jesus, you are being degraded by a mocker, a hater, or a persecutor, you ought not to feel awful about it; but rather you might consider jumping high and clicking your heels! Go on . . . dance a little!

Go ahead and shout “Praise the Lord” go on and celebrate, because according to Jesus your reward is outstanding!

Persecution, while not pleasant at the time, reveals to whom you truly belong!

“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Nov

2017

Thankful

Thanksgiving; pumpkin pie, apple spice, and basted turkey! Families getting together, stories retold, new ones shared, hope springs up, and we give thanks!

We thank God for those we love, for the new baby in the family, for the memories of those who no longer sit around the Thanksgiving table this year.
We thank God for the provision He has given, the direction He has led us.
We thank Him for our good health, and we thank Him for giving strength and hope when health fades.
We thank God for a free country, a place where we can express ourselves without fear.
We thank God for the men and women who serve to keep us free.
We thank God for the freedom to worship, to praise, and to pray!

These are just a few of the things that spring to mind when I think of giving thanks to God, but I am just getting started . . .

I thank God that He never leaves me, never! No matter where my journey takes me, God is there, always near, always lending a hand, giving me a good word of hope, encouraging me forward!

I thank God for His laws and precepts, His statues and His ever prevailing guidance; without these I would surely be lost. I would fall quickly and permanently without His ever present Word showing me the way.

I thank God for His correction to me. When I error, when I sin, He does not walk away but rather gets involved. He loves me enough to take me to the proverbial “woodshed.” While painful, I know without a doubt that He loves me! I am so thankful for that!

I thank God that when I pray, He listens! I am so glad that my words do not fall on deaf ears. It means so much to me that He listens to every word I speak. How wonderful!

I thank God for His power, it is limitless! Sometimes I feel so weak, so powerless, and insignificant. I thank God that I am yoked to Jesus and that I am not laboring alone.

I am glad that Jesus loves me enough to tell me that I sometimes try to pull the whole load, and that I should let Him carry it. Jesus is so kind to me, and I am very thankful for that!

I could go on and on and on! How about you? What are you thankful for?

Take a moment and reflect, and be thankful, and if you are like me, it won’t take long before your eyes are full of tears of joy, as the overwhelming reality of God hits you right in the heart!

Be thankful!

Oct

2017

The Dangers of Dabbling in Christianity

Matthew 7:13-23

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

One of the things I have a strong disdain for are the cute little so-called “Christian” bumper stickers that I have seen. One that comes to mind is the one that says; “Try Jesus.” Now I know that those who promote this sticker mean well, but the consequences of this flippant suggestion can be fatal!

Jesus is not a fad to be tried, He is not a passing idea, He is the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings; a better sticker might say . . . Have you considered Jesus? Let me explain . . .

Over the course of my life I have heard folks say things like; “Yes, I used to “dabble” in the stock market; or I “dabbled in the occult” or “I used to dabble in Buddhism” or some other religion.

Today I want to address a problem that exists in our culture that may be far more dangerous than anything we ever imagined. It is a mindset that can be fatal, if allowed to run its course.

I fear that many people, maybe even some reading this today, are “dabbling” in Christianity. Here is the definition of dabbling . . .

Dabbling – to work or involve oneself superficially or intermittently especially in a secondary activity or interest

Christianity is a very attractive way of living for those who have no real understanding of what being Christian entails. The hallmarks of a Christian from an earthly perspective might be things like:

Godly
Wholesome
Moral
Respected

What tends to happen, is that a person feels attracted to the “Christian lifestyle” and may even end up attending a church; checking things out to see if they can “fit in.”

After a season at the church, those folks who want this lifestyle learn all the Christian speak, they have the words down pat, and begin to look and act like a real Christian.

These folks have heard about Jesus, about the new birth, the need for baptism, and membership, they have taken communion and have done all the right things and are a bona fide member of the church community . . . yet there is a certain something lacking.

Could it be that this group is just “dabbling” in Christianity?

Could it be that the need to belong has superseded the need to be converted to Christ?

There are certain aspects of the Christian lifestyle that tend to be overlooked by the dabblers. Primarily those aspects are things that involve serving, money, and commitment.

It is hard to get a “dabbler” to consider the Biblical mandate to tithe on income they receive, or to give financially to any major project or missionary effort.

The giving is only done to the point where it is manageable and is rarely if ever, a true sacrifice. Money is far too important to the “dabbler” to squander it on Jesus and His efforts to reach the lost.

The “dabbler” often looks for ways around this mandate. Some will consider their acts of “service” to equate to a tithe. For instance, a “dabbler” may have some talent and will use that talent in the church, then consider that talent as a tithe, or benefit to the church and they placate themselves thinking that they gave something to God. The fact is, God gave them the talent in the first place and they are stealing from God.

The problem with that sort of thinking; trading service for tithe that is, is that the service given to God is then purchased, it is not service at all, there was no sacrifice, no true worship of God, but rather a deception and an ungodly attempt to steal from the Most High God! What a dangerous activity . . .

Along those lines, getting a “dabbler” to serve God is really hard. Just like those who try and trade tithe for service, the “dabbler” seldom serves unless there is a direct benefit to them.

If service means a few accolades from the church body; a pat on the shoulder, then they will go ahead and do it, after all, they need to stay in the lifestyle and service appears to be a part of that.

Yet, for the “dabbler” there are always excuses for not being able to serve, there are family issues, time constraints, and a host of other things that are far too important to allow service to Jesus to interfere . . . He will understand.

Even more difficult, is getting a “dabbler” to make a strong and abiding commitment to the church; it is almost impossible! The “dabbler” will find many reasons to avoid commitment to any lasting agreement.

Often a “dabbler” will make a commitment, then realize later on that the commitment was a mistake and will begin to find ways to get out of the commitment, often getting upset at the leadership for prodding or end up having problems with someone inside the church, which usually leads to that “dabbler” leaving the church and heading to another one.

The unfortunate end of those who “dabble” in Christianity, is that they end up lost and without Christ!

Most of these “dabblers” have convinced themselves that they are actually Christians and that they are saved, rescued from sin and Satan, but the sad reality is that they are not, and in the end, the stunning Words of Jesus will ring painfully in their ears . . .

Matthew 7:21-23

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

How terrible to hear these words of Christ after a lifetime of “dabbling.”

Self-deception is a powerful tool the enemy uses to keep people deluded right up to the end!

So what constitutes a real Christian anyway . . . let’s see . . .

First, back to the bumper sticker . . . “Try Jesus.” When we try and compel a lifestyle on someone, we could actually be leading them into a lifetime of self-deception that could be fatal to their soul!

You see, Jesus says in John 6:44

John 6:44

“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them . . .

Unless you have been drawn by the Holy Spirit to come to Christ, you cannot be saved!

Too often we end up introducing people to a lifestyle rather than a Savior!

When this happens, the person begins “dabbling” in Christianity and they will suffer a terrible fate!

True Christians introduce people to Jesus, and He and them come to a decision about salvation! If the Holy Spirit has been drawing them to Himself, then there is a strong possibility that they will be redeemed and the new life of Christ will explode in them!

The person who has been drawn by the Holy Spirit to Christ, who then receives the Savior, who openly and honestly embraces the salvation granted through Jesus, will experience a new birth; Jesus called it “being born again.”

It is a spiritual birth, a new and amazing spiritual awakening that transforms everything.

The newly born Christian falls madly in love with the deliverer; they no longer live for themselves, but for Him!

The new spiritual babe is exceedingly hungry for God’s Word, and the first thing they ask for is a Bible; they will fly into it, devouring all they can!

You will find it hard to pull them away from God’s Word; often they will even give up meals so they can read it!

Unlike the “dabbler” when a person who has been born of the Spirit, comes across passages that speak about giving tithes and offerings, they rejoice, often giving way beyond the minimum of 10%. I have known those who have given everything they have and they did it with tremendous joy!

The true Christian will see the financial need within the Body of Christ and will sacrifice much to see those needs met, often going without so that others may not have to!

The true Christian does not think their needs outweigh the needs of others, but actually, see others as being infinitely more valuable than they are!

When it comes to service, to offering their talents to God, the true Christian will give it all. Like the prophet Isaiah who heard these words from God . . .

Isaiah 6:8

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

The true Christian is not self-centered, but rather God-centered. When an opportunity arises to serve the living Christ, they will not miss it!

When the Body of believers finds an occasion to serve Jesus, they will do all they can to be there, supporting anyway they can . . . and they will do it with a cheerful and happy heart, not grudgingly and sad!

The truly converted person will not only step up and serve when the occasion arises, they will also find new and creative ways to serve God!

For the true Christian, commitment is part and parcel of their life now. They are more than willing to step up and serve Christ in the church, making lasting commitments to the Body of Christ through the church.

Membership in the church is not taken lightly and they step up, making a difference to the organization that God is using to advance His Kingdom.

May I continue to draw a contrast . . .

Dabblers tend to complain a great deal; always seeing the negative side of things. The reason being is that they have very little experience of God.

They know that God is strong, or at least part of the Christian lifestyle is to say that God is strong and able; but the sad reality is that God is not very strong to them personally, so they tend to live in an attitude of defeat.

The true Christian knows God is strong; He has been delivered from death, hell and the grave and he knows it!

Whether life on earth is hard or easy really does not matter to him, because he knows the Master in an intimate way and the true believer will exude an air of joy, even in the midst of pain.

Finally . . .

After a great deal of consideration, I believe that “dabblers” are of the utmost importance to the enemy of God and that would be satan. Now hear me out . . .

I think it is a strategic decision on the part of satan to foist upon as many as he can the desire to “do” Christianity.

To be sure, this is risky business on his part, to send to the church interested people who are attracted to a Christian lifestyle, but historically, this seems to have worked for him.

Let’s say we have a church that is growing and people are truly coming to Christ. The word will get out, and those who are interested in the Christian lifestyle, are very much attracted to those moves of God. The real deal is amazing to watch and participate in.

The devil is very interested in any move of God, so he will do all he can to attempt to shut that down, and one of the best ways is to send “dabblers.”

The work of God begins to grow and those who “dabble” gently infiltrate the Body of Christ. The “dabblers” have preferences you know.

After time goes by they will want the worship styles to look and sound a certain way, the focus is no longer on God, but on their favorite way of singing or worshiping, squabbles over Bible translations may arise, along with a host of other things to nit-pick over; things that draw attention away from Jesus and on to man. Some will be very vocal about this and divisions begin.

The “dabblers” will step into positions of leadership and try and move the church in directions other than where the Spirit had intended.

Too often when “dabblers” do not get their way, they try and create little groups convincing these little clusters that the church is going in the wrong direction and we need to change it.

The powerful move of God is now beginning to wane; the attention is being shifted from a powerful God who is converting the lost, to the needs of the “dabblers” who never knew God in the first place.

The church slows even more; the newly converted are disillusioned and begin to drop away; by now even the “dabblers” see the church falling away too and the “lifestyle” they wanted to keep appears to be diminishing.

Since many of the “dabblers” remain, and they are not free to give of their time and resources, the church suffers and slows even further.

A new work in the area shows promise and word of a revival begins to spread, the “dabblers” quickly run to see and join into the work, only to be used by the enemy again.

In the end, dabblers will hear the stinging words of the Mighty Savior as He declares . . . ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ Jesus also said . . .

John 17:3

Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.

I think when we see Jesus; we will all utter those words . . . Lord. Lord! Let me ask you; do you know what His response will be when you say those words to Him?

Will He welcome you in, or send you away? If you are not sure of the answer, then please . . . settle it once and for all!

Have you been dabbling?

Are you being used by the enemy to put down a revival?

Is the Spirit calling you, drawing you?

Would you like to meet Jesus?

Why not now?

Oct

2017

The Lord Disciplines Those He Loves

I had met Jesus during the summer of 1990; what an amazing year! Through the efforts of a local church; my family was drawn to an encounter with God; an encounter that would change the course of our lives forever!

I was employed at the time by a local manufacturing facility. I was a project maintenance technician. My job was primarily to install new equipment, which also required fabricating the necessary support apparatus required; things like steel decking, catwalks, chutes, ladders and much more.

Now, prior to me becoming friends with Jesus, I was quite versed in the ways of the world. What I mean to say is that, among many other things, I had a serious cursing problem . . . I knew all the curse words and was quite proficient in that particular dialect.

However, when I met Jesus, everything began to change; especially my language. After about 6 months of walking with my new found Friend Jesus, I really thought I was making great progress.

One evening at work, a coworker who had a special knack for getting under my skin, was pushing the limits of my new found patience. He was really getting to me and I couldn’t take it anymore, so I spun around and gave him a real verbal tongue lashing, using some of the more disgusting vocabulary I had accumulated over the years.

Now, to be sure, this was not the first time I had delivered such a tirade to this man; but it was the first time I had done it since I’d became friends with Jesus! My coworker was equally versed in this crude American dialect, and as always, gave it right back to me. After he uttered his comeback, he stormed away in a huff!

I stood there feeling awful and quite disgusted with myself for having stooped so low. Since it was the night shift, I headed out back of the building and went outside.

I got on my knees, and looking to the dark sky, I cried out to the Lord; “Oh Lord, I can’t believe I said that to him.” In the quiet darkness, I thought I heard the Lord say back to me; “I do!”

I apologized to the Lord for the unkind and ugly words I had spoken to my coworker; and I asked God to forgive me. The Lord, as always in His kind voice, assured me that I was forgiven. I felt relieved, and as I stood up to go back inside, the Lord said to me; “Now I want you to go in there and apologize him.”

WHAT!

“Wait a minute Lord; you don’t know him like I know him. If tell him I’m sorry, I’ll never hear the end of it! He will only get even angrier with me.” I could tell that the Lord was serious about this and that He was not going let me get out of it.

So . . . I went and tracked down this guy whom I had excoriated a half hour ago. I pulled him aside and told him how very sorry I was that I had said such unkind words to him.

He looked intently at me; then he proceeded to tell what a blankety blank blank jerk I was and then he told me to go and blankety, blank . . . you get the idea!

He did just what I knew he would do . . . and I had it coming. The thing is; after God pressed me to do the right thing with that guy; the whole cursing thing was over and done with! I don’t think I have ever used a curse word since and it has been nearly 30 years!

God will discipline those He loves . . .

When was the last time God showed you some love?

Oct

2017

A Form of Godliness

One of the things I love to do is preach! It seems to be the one thing that is always in my heart and has been burned into my spirit! I long to see the “church” come alive and experience all it should and could be! Indeed, anytime people of faith come together to hear the Word of God proclaimed; amazing things can happen.

There is however, an element of great danger for some who to meet like that . . . so much is at stake! Every time we come together and share the Word of God; which by the way the Bible says is sharper than ANY two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12), hardened as it may be; we have choices to make; some of those choices will determine the fate of our eternal soul!

I have a background in metal working and there is a process by which you can make iron very hard. First, you need to get it extremely hot; and when the conditions are right, you quickly quench the iron bar, either in water or oil, depending on the hardness desired.

There is a rather short window of time whereby the heated metal must be thrust into the cooling medium; once done, the metal becomes quite hard. Similarly, over hardened metal can be softened again by heating and allowing the metal to cool slowly; this process is called annealing.

The danger lies wherein the power of God, through His Word, is touching your heart. Often the heart is strangely warmed, heated by the Holy Spirit if you will, to the point of becoming altogether new; the composition is about to change.

Often it is at this critical point, the flesh rebels and quenches that fire; causing the heart to become excessively hard, brittle and even bitter.

1 Thessalonians 5:19-23

Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances. But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil.

As with previous generations before us, the world once again is generating conditions that seem to indicate that the coming of our Lord is drawing near. No doubt when the First World War began, many within the Christian Community felt that Christ would soon come. The same was true with World War II and other worldwide conflicts; yet today it seems like the increase is feeling like; as Jesus said, “Birth Pangs.”

The Bible gives us a list of things to be alert to concerning the time right before Jesus` predicted return:

Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.” We are fascinated with the culture of death and evil.

“Jesus… said many false prophets and false teachings will abound

“Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.”

“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake.”

Then I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God

All of these things are happening right now, and will continue with ever increasing intensity; like birth pains, until the arrival of Christ.

In the midst of all of these forewarnings, there is one particular warning that continues to grow today, and it is the reason for the broken state of Christianity in our country; indeed our community. This warning is found in 2 Timothy 3 and will be the focus of this blog today.

2 Timothy 3:1-5

But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.

When we first read this passage we often think that Paul is referring to the world in which we live; yet this kind of behavior is typical of fallen mankind and is not new. The warning given here is that these types of persons have infiltrated the church!

It talks about a form of godliness which lacks power; could this be the problem the church is facing today? Have we succumbed to forms of godliness, yet have none of the Power of God?

We live in a broken world that is dying and swirling in an ever increasing state of despair. Hopelessness abounds and our own nation is getting angry, frustrated and on the brink of destruction! People in our country are calling for revolution; should we not cry out to God for a revolution in the Church!

We must ask . . . Where is the POWER of the Church!

Concerning the current state of the supposed Christian church in America, the Barna group, a statistical Christian research organization, did a study a few years ago examining the divorce rates in America. The divorce rate in America hovers at about 50%.

According to Barna, the divorce rate between alleged Christians was almost equal to that of the general population, and even more startling; the rate among fundamental Christians was slightly higher than the national average!

We must ask . . . Where is the POWER of the Church!

A study on the financial support of the local churches in America revealed startling results as well. The average Christian in America gives 2.3% of their income to the local church.

It is estimated if those pretending to love Christ actually did the bare minimum of 10%, an additional $165,000,000,000 (billion) would be made available to Jesus to use. It is estimated that . . .

$25 billion could relieve global hunger, starvation, and deaths from preventable diseases in five years
$12 billion could eliminate illiteracy in five years.
$15 billion could solve the world’s water and sanitation issues, specifically at places in the world where 1 billion people live on less than $1 per day.
$1 billion could fully fund all overseas mission work.
$100 – $110 billion would still be left over for additional ministry expansion.

We must ask . . . Where is the POWER of the Church!

In the American church, there has been a relaxation of the need to “count” conversions. While many denominations still require it, mine included, we do not place too much emphasis on those numbers anymore.

We often brush off the low conversion rates citing growth groups, relationships, church memberships, and baptisms instead. This is done, I fear, to placate the gnawing sensation that something is very, very wrong in our Americanized church!

When was the last time one of the town drunks, a drug dealer, or person of high or low esteem found Christ in your community! It would have been the talk of the town!

A broken, impetuous, unskilled speaker; a fisherman by the name of Peter preached in the power of the Holy Spirit one day and 3000 came to faith; they counted them! The Book of acts declared that daily people were added to their number.

We must ask . . . Where is the POWER of the Church!

It is evident that the warning Paul gave Timothy is at the heart of the problem we are facing today; a form of godliness, with no power!

The church body has become diluted with men and women who are simply not redeemed! There is no Spirit of Christ in them. They are religious impostors! How, you may ask, does this happen?

It did not happen overnight; but rather by many years of complacency and disregard for the demands of the Gospel. The church once held a position of high esteem; those who joined the ranks of the church were seen as upright and noble people, and getting your name on the rolls was important.

Church membership became the end goal, rather than a means to promote Jesus to the community. This has continued to this day!

It is easy to join a church; go down to the river and be baptized; tell everyone you love God and believe in Jesus, take communion when its offered; give 2.3% of your income and smile a lot; imagining that is well with your soul, do this and in most churches you will be viewed as a spiritual person.

You now have now successfully acquired a form of godliness; you have respect in the church and with your peers. The growing numbers of people, whom you see, are just like you. A sense of self-satisfaction grows, and you truly believe that you are quite safe and secure in Christ . . .

We must ask . . . Where is the POWER of the Church!

Listen to what noted Baptist preacher Charles Spurgeon; often referred to as the Prince of Preachers had to say about this subject:

I do not doubt that a form of godliness has come to many because it brings them ease of conscience and they are able, like the Pharisee, to thank God that they are not as other men are. Have they not been to Church? Have they not paid for their pew? They can now go about their daily business without those stings of conscience which would come of neglecting the requirements of religion.

These people profess to have been converted and they are numbered with Believers. But, alas, they are not of them. Of all people these are the hardest to reach and the least likely to be saved. They hide behind the earthworks of a nominal religion. They are out of reach of the shot and shell of Gospel rebukes. They fly among the sinners and they have taken up their quarters among the saints. Sad is that man’s plight who wears the name of life but has never been quickened by the Holy Spirit.

What then is the power of God which is lacking?

True godliness happens on the inside and works its way to the outside. The true power of God comes when a sinful wicked heart, infected with the curse of Adam, is “re-created” and made new, restored to its intended condition; now that’s the power of God!

Remember the promises of God to Ezekiel. . .

Ezekiel 11:19

I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.

Ezekiel 36:25-27

I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.

At the conclusion of Peter’s message in Acts 2, Peter gives the key to the Spirit-filled life, the way to be baptized in the Holy Spirit; it comes by repentance and baptism, and by baptism, I mean being immersed, covered with Jesus.

The key is repentance! Without it, there will be NO SALVATION and NO SPIRIT-FILLED life. None!

We all want “Godliness with Power” we all want to live victorious Christian lives, but we cannot unless we have repented. What produces repentance?

2 Corinthians 7:10

Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.

“Godly sorrow” produces repentance. I have to ask you if you have ever felt godly sorrow. Have you ever felt the need to repent, and then actually do it! Because if you have not ever repented, you are NOT redeemed, and you are still in your sins, and are as lost as ever; even more lost, because you have deceived yourself into thinking you are redeemed, when in fact you are not.

Jesus said these stunning words . . .

Matthew 7:21-23

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’

The most revealing and frightening aspect of this passage is that the people we so convinced that they know Jesus; when in fact, they did not!

What can be said of you? Are you holding to a form of godliness, are you the real deal? Deep in your heart, you know the answer.

Will you resist still? Will you quench the Holy Spirit one more time?

This is your chance; for some . . . this is your last chance!

Dr. Martin Lloyd Jones puts it this way . . .

“You do not decide for Christ, the sinner FLIES to Christ in utter helplessness and despair.”

His arms are open wide . . . run to Him!

Oct

2017

A Plea for Fishing

Now it came to pass that a group existed who called themselves fishermen. And lo, there were many fish in the waters all around. In fact, the whole area was surrounded by streams and lakes filled with fish. And the fish were hungry.

Week after week, month after month, and year after year, those who called themselves fishermen met in meetings and talked about their call to fish, the abundance of fish, and how they might go about fishing.

Year after year they carefully defined what fishing means, defended fishing as an occupation, and declared that fishing is always to be a primary task of fishermen.

Continually, they searched for new and better methods of fishing and for new and better definitions of fishing. Further, they said, “The fishing industry exists by fishing as fire exists by burning.

They loved slogans such as “Fishing is the task of every fisherman.” They sponsored special meetings called “Fishermen’s Campaigns” and “The Month for Fishermen to Fish.” They sponsored costly nationwide and worldwide congresses to discuss fishing and to promote fishing and hear about all the ways of fishing such as the new fishing equipment, and whether any new bait had been discovered.

These fishermen built large, beautiful buildings called “Fishing Headquarters.” The plea was that everyone should be a fisherman and every fisherman should fish. One thing they didn’t do, however: They didn’t fish.

In addition to meeting regularly, they organized a board to send out fishermen to other places where there were many fish. The board hired staffs and appointed committees and held many meetings to define fishing, to defend fishing, and to decide what new streams should be thought about.

But the staff and committee members did not fish.

Large, elaborate, and expensive training centers were built whose original and primary purpose was to teach fishermen how to fish. Over the years courses were offered on the needs of fish, the nature of fish, where to find fish, the psychological reactions of fish, and how to approach and feed fish.

Those who taught had doctorates in fishology, but the teachers did not fish. They only taught fishing. Year after year, after tedious training, many were graduated and were given fishing licenses. They were sent to do full-time fishing, some to distant waters which were filled with fish.

Many who felt the call to be fishermen responded. They were commissioned and sent to fish. But like the fishermen back home, they never fished. Like the fishermen back home, they engaged in all kinds of other occupations. They built power plants to pump water for fish and tractors to plow new waterways. They made all kinds of equipment to travel here and there to look at fish hatcheries.

Some also said that they wanted to be part of the fishing party, but they felt called to furnish fishing equipment. Others felt their job was to relate to the fish in a good way so the fish would know the difference between good and bad fishermen. Others felt that simply letting the fish know they were nice, land-loving neighbors and how loving and kind they were was enough.

After one stirring meeting on “The Necessity for Fishing,” one young fellow left the meeting and went fishing. The next day he reported that he had caught two outstanding fish.

He was honored for his excellent catch and scheduled to visit all the big meetings possible, to tell how he did it. So he quit his fishing in order to have time to tell about the experience to the other fishermen. He was also placed on the Fishermen’s General Board as a person having considerable experience.

Now it’s true that many of the fishermen sacrificed and put up with all kinds of difficulties. Some lived near the water and bore the smell of dead fish every day. They received the ridicule of some who made fun of their fishermen’s clubs and the fact that they claimed to be fishermen yet never fished. They wondered about those who felt it was of little use to attend the weekly meetings to talk about fishing. After all, were they not following the Master who said, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men”

Imagine how hurt some were when one day a person suggested that those who don’t catch fish were really not fishermen, no matter how much they claimed to be. Yet it did sound correct.

Is a person a fisherman if, year after year, he never catches a fish” Is one following if he isn’t fishing?

Oct

2017

I am an Alien

It took a few years to come to this conclusion; but I am convinced that; “I am an alien.” I know, you are probably rolling your eyes right now thinking; “Rock has finally gone off his ROCK-er.”

Perhaps I have, but allow me to explain . . .

It is no big secret that I am an unashamed follower of Jesus. I am not perfect on my journey with Him, however, I do spend quality time with Him and truly call Him my best Friend. The friendship I am speaking of took a while to develop and was entirely His own idea.

Many years ago, through an amazing set of circumstances, I came to the realization that I was a spiritual mess. After chasing drugs, money and other worthless “things,” I found myself faced with a decision to either believe in God, or walk away, rejecting Him, along with His offer of redemption.

I recall kneeling at an altar in an old barn type building one hot July night, where they were holding “religious services.” I risked everything and went to Him; afraid He would reject me, afraid of what people would say, afraid of my own fallibilities.

As I knelt there, tears flowing, I said to God; “I have nothing to give you, nothing at all.” At that moment, I heard the kindest voice say; “I’ll take it.”

It was there, in that hot building, with dozens of hopeful people looking on, that my friendship with Jesus began. Amazingly, on the other side of that altar, was my wife, Sherri, having a similar experience and she also became a friend of Jesus that night!

It took no time at all for this relationship with Jesus to really get moving. He introduced me to His Father, and to the Holy Spirit, who would come and live constantly with me, helping me, teaching me and directing my steps!

As I alluded to in the beginning of this writing, I did not, and still do not, always get it right. There have been some tumultuous times in our friendship. We have had serious disagreements, we have laughed together, wept together, and there have been times when I thought the relationship might be irrevocably damaged; not on His part, but mine!

The thing is; this friendship with Jesus is so much more. When He introduced me to His Father, there was a celebration and according to God’s own Word; I became adopted into His family . . . WHAT?

Colossians 1:13-14

“For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins”

I was rescued from the darkness and brought into His Kingdom! This is not a fantasy show; this is a spiritual reality, but it gets even better!

According to God’s Word, not only have I been rescued, I have been adopted as a son! Seriously? The Bible says . . .

Romans 8:15

For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!”

Check this out about what adoption rights are . . .

Adoption – “To take into one’s family through legal means and raise as one’s own child”

The adopted child is treated by law as the natural child of the adopting parents, upon the entry of the final adoption decree. The adopted child, therefore, gains the right to inherit from the adoptive parents and adoptive parents’ relatives. . . (National Adoption Information Clearinghouse)

So . . . there you have it! I am now a permanent citizen of the Kingdom of God! How amazing is that! As an adopted son, now living in “The Kingdom of God” it behooves me to learn all I can about my new home and to live in such a manner as to reflect my gratitude for this amazing gift!

As I have studied the ways of His “Kingdom” I have come to the realization that it truly is my spiritual home; I reside there NOW! I don’t have to die to get there!

One thing we learn quickly as an adopted son or daughter is that, God our Father, along with the Son (Jesus) and The Holy Spirit, is on a mission. Furthermore, those who are adopted into this family of God, are invited to join in this mission and are expected to wholeheartedly engage in it!

For this reason, we are “sent” to the world, to express Kingdom ideas such as; love, peace, joy, salvation, forgiveness, kindness. We are here as missionaries; we are not of this world . . . still not convinced?

Listen to the words of Jesus Himself as He prays to His Father and ours in the Gospel of John . . .

John 17:13-18

But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world so that they may have My joy made full in themselves. I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.

So there it is . . . I am an alien; I come from another place, I am not of this world! SWEET!

Sep

2017

Harvest Time

I think October is the most exciting month of the year! The beautiful autumn leaves bursting with color, as they prepare to fall to the earth, the crisp, cool mornings, the fields full of corn being harvested, the sights and smells of October give our senses an overload.

What wonder! What beauty!

October is the month when the harvest is in full swing. Farmers are gathering their crops, those who have labored through the spring and summer months are busy gathering the fruit of their labors.

The pumpkins and squashes are ripening, the potatoes need to be dug. Many households are busy canning and preparing the harvest for the long winter months that lay ahead.

What exciting days!

I am reminded of the year that we (The Pifer Family) decided to plant about 4 acres of potatoes.

I’ll never forget the incredible work that went into that project. First, we secured a field, and then dad plowed the whole thing with his little Farmall Cub tractor, and if I remember right, a little fertilizer was added as well.

Then, we bought what seemed like tons of seed potatoes, and we sliced each one and then set out about the task of placing them about 12 inches or so apart in rows, it seemed like forever (especially when you are about 13 years old)

Once the field was sown, we had little to do but wait. Occasionally we went over and made sure the bugs were not attacking what we had sown, but apart form that, we just waited.

The summer sped by, and finally, the days of harvest came. We began to dig potatoes, and more potatoes, and still more! I don’t know how many we took in that year, but it was a lot!

As we dug potatoes, we found out that some were rotten, but as we gathered them in, we had no time to separate them, we just picked everything and then sorted later.

We had potatoes! We sold potatoes, we gave potatoes away, we had potatoes with every meal!

That story reminds me of another harvest that is about to take place, a harvest of infinitely greater value than a thousand acre potato patch, it is “The Harvest!”

God has been planting His seed for a great many years now, and the fields are white and ready to be picked. Jesus gave some pretty good indicators as to when that would take place, and as we watch with eager anticipation of that great Day, we see the world stage is set, and the people and places are getting ready.

You can almost hear the harvesters getting ready, sharpening their sickles, getting ready for the call.

I hope you are waiting with eager anticipation of that great Day. If thoughts of that Day of Harvest frighten you, perhaps you are not ready.

When the time comes for Jesus to return, all fruit will be gathered, ready or not, and then, just like our great potato harvest, each will be sorted, those that are rotten, will be tossed out, but those that are ripe, will be gathered together to be used by God in that remarkable place called Heaven.

I can’t wait! How about you? Are you ready for the Harvest?

Revelation 14:14-16

I looked, and there before me was a white cloud, and seated on the cloud was one “like a son of man” with a crown of gold on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand.

Then another angel came out of the temple and called in a loud voice to him who was sitting on the cloud, “Take your sickle and reap, because the time to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.” So he who was seated on the cloud swung his sickle over the earth, and the earth was harvested.

Sep

2017

Are You for us, or For Them?

First and foremost I am a follower of Jesus; I love Him with all of my heart. You could say that I am a “believer.” To believe in Him is to buy into all He said and did . . . which I do!

Since I believe in Him, I am also keenly aware of the tactics of the enemy of Jesus, namely Satan. Yep, he is real and quite active today. The enemy loves division and is really, really good at promoting it.

It is his tactic to get opposing groups to form strong, unyielding views; to sharpen and divide them to the point of bloodshed if he can. Even a cursory view of history reveals how very good he is at this!

Once the devil gets humanity to the breaking point, he simply stands back and lets us destroy each other; this tactic has worked so very well, it is no wonder he keeps using it!

We need to understand that the cultural battles we are facing today such as; disrespect of flag and country, right vs. left, republican vs. democrat, etc, etc, are all manufactured by the devil to get us to fight. So where does Jesus stand on all of this?

I recall a story out of the Old Testament Book of the Bible, Joshua. God had sent the Israelites to go and take the Promised Land of Canaan.

Great battles were about to be fought and Joshua, a mighty warrior was prepared to get the job done. Here isan excerpt from the Book in the Biblethat bears his name . . .

Joshua 5:13-15

Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, “Are you for us or for our enemies?”

“Neither,” he replied, “but as commander of the army of the LORD I have now come.”

Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, “What message does my Lord have for his servant?”

The commander of the LORD’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.

This is what we call a Christophany; it is a manifestation of Christ in bodily form, prior to His birth. I find this to be a fascinating encounter. I mean Joshua is ready for a fight, his mind is engaged and he knows that there is going to be bloodshed, as they take this land called Canaan. He sees a Man standing with a sword drawn, and he wonders if this might be the first encounter.

As he approaches the Man, I’m sure Joshua has his hand on his own sword, ready to do battle. Joshua’s question is revealing; “Are you for us or for our enemies?”

The question assumes only two options; if you are for us, then join us and let’s do battle! If you are for them, then I will have to slay you! Joshua has it in his mind that since he is about doing the Lord’s work, there can only be two options; you are either with me or against me; my way or the highway!

God’s response to the question is also revealing; He said; “Neither; but as commander of the army of the LORD I have now come. Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.”

He said “neither.” Now the Hebrew word that is often translated to mean neither is a very small word, with big implications.

GREEK WORD: Lo; which literally means “NOT.”

Christ was the first to coin that little phrase . . . NOT!

Christ was trying to tell Joshua that whatever he was thinking about Him was NOT.

So when we ask Jesus what He thinks about the situations we are facing we might be surprised at His answer:

Are you for democrats or the republicans . . . NOT
Are you for or against flag burning . . . NOT
Are you for North Korea or America . . . NOT

. . . And on and on we could go! The Bible say’s this about the thoughts of God:

Isaiah 55:8-9

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

For the Christian, I think it is time we stop all the petty squabbles and finger pointing; stop with the name calling and boycotting. It is time to take off our sandals and get behind the Captain of the Lord’s Army and follow His lead. It is time to stop taking sides in a battle that has already been won and start working with and for our Captain!

Remember fellow Christian . . . these Words from Jesus

John 17:13-18

“I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world.My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.

You are no more a part of this world than Jesus is; so stop acting like it is and start living your life in Christ – Up-side Down! Your home is in heaven, you are seated with Christ in the heavenly realms.

Sep

2017

The Can

I can remember a dramatic season in the life of our church; a season that came about through God’s response to relentless prayer; nearly 8 years of it!

We had prayed earnestly for our church;

“God send revival”

and

“God, pour out Your Spirit”

We called out with passion, and when God moved, the results were striking and swift! We were not prepared for what was about to take place.

Armin Gesswein

We began to notice an increase in our church; both in attendance and in the awareness of the Spirit of God in our midst. Armin Gesswein, a noted student of revival, said that; “When God’s people recognize their need for the Holy Spirit, lost people recognize their need for a Savior” this is so true!

As the Spirit of God moved in response to our many prayers, we began to see all kinds of “things” happening.

We saw homes come under intense stress, even to the breaking point, we saw relationships struggle. Our “foundations” were being shaken. We watched in wonder as sinners came to our church, and found Jesus.

We watched in amazement as the struggle to break bondage to sin increased.

On one particular Sunday morning, as I came out to preach, an amazing event unfolded. We were holding the Sunday morning service in the auditorium of the former East 4^th Street School in Emporium; now the Christian Center.

As I opened my Bible to start preaching, a young mother walked in through the double doors leading from the auditorium to the alleyway; she was holding a brown bag.

Walking right in and standing in front of about 80 people, she looked at me and said; “Pastor Rock, can I say something?” I was taken somewhat aback by this odd request; but I told her to go ahead.

She pulled out a fifth of Amaretto liquor from the brown bag and began to sob. After she regained her composure, she said this; “I keep going to this bottle instead of going to God and I need help.”

WOW! Not knowing what could be done, I called on everyone to come forward and gather around this young lady and pray for her! It was a turning point in her life and in the life of our church.

The next Sunday morning, before the worship service began, I noticed an older gentleman suddenly come out of his seat and make a hasty trip to the stage and he quickly laid down a pack of cigarettes. He would tell me later that he felt God tell him to give these up and to do it right now!

As I prayed about what was going on, I decided to buy one of those bright shiny metal trash cans and I placed in on the stage. That next Sunday I said to the folks that I think God is trying to help us get rid of some things that may be hindering our walk with Him; let’s fill the can!

The following Sunday, I went to move the can prior to the service and it felt heavier. I opened the lid to find a half gallon of rum in there, the next week a fifth of Vodka found its way to the can, another pack of cigarettes, and much, much more!

On Sunday we found the half gallon of rum in the can; following the service, a young lady approached me on the stage and with tears in her eyes, she handed me a bag of marijuana and said; “Pastor Rock, God doesn’t want me to smoke pot no more.”

So that Sunday, I had a half gallon of rum in the can and a bag of pot in my pocket! Amazing stuff right there!

Over the course of the next 3 or 4 months, we filled the can several times! Did we really know what we were asking for when we prayed for “revival?” What were we thinking? What did we expect?

I remember going through a drought in Pennsylvania during the late 1990’s, we prayed for rain; but when it came, we did not realize, that with it, would come mud-slides, and falling trees. We needed the rain, but we were not prepared for the side effects that would come.

Neither did we expect the Spirit of God to come and begin to draw the “mud” out of our lives.

Perhaps we did not expect to have sin pulled out by the roots! Maybe we thought we were “alright”, and that God would just come and leave our landscape as it was.

Just like the powerful rains that created new landscapes for many homeowners, so it is with the Spirit of God when He comes, everything changes, old ways are cast down, and new ways are set in place. Sinful habits, both visible and invisible, come to light when the Spirit of God is among us.

So what will we do? Shall we keep praying, “God send revival?” I should think so! I say, change the landscape, make ALL things new!

“Pour out Your Spirit Lord” and don’t stop till we are completely changed, inside and out! Draw the “mud” out of our lives, and uproot sin!

Lord, Reign on us, make us Holy, as You are Holy! Don’t stop until we are refined, purified, and made fit for the Kingdom of Heaven!

Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand. Daniel 12:10

Sep

2017

If you can’t say it with Love . . .

Sherri and I have spent over 25 years in Christian ministry, serving three small churches. I served over 21 years as senior pastor of a small church in our hometown of Emporium; served 6 years as president of the Cameron County Ministerial Association; 6 years as district leader in the Bradford ministry area and had been a part of many boards and committees as well.

Sherri and I often like to quote the Farmer’s Insurance moniker; “We know a thing or two, because we’ve seen a thing or two.”

A pastor’s job is pretty diverse and covers a broad range of duties that include things like weddings, funerals, graduation ceremonies, Sunday sermons, personal counseling and much, much more.

One of the biggest challenges a pastor encounters is trying to get the church-going folks, who call the local church their own, to participate in the outreach, upkeep and financial support needed to keep the church alive and thriving.

Many folks have a misinformed idea that somehow the church just exists and gets it resources from outside the local gathering; that the denomination must provide all the financial needs. For our local church, and all the churches I know of, that is simply not the case.

ALL the resources of time, talent, and finances, always come from the local congregation. So when it comes to keeping the building and grounds nice and well kept, it is up to the folks to get that done.

If the utility bills get paid, and the local pastor is to get a paycheck, the congregation needs to financially support the church in order for that to happen.

When the church folks are unable, or unwilling, to provide these resources, the church begins to struggle. For many churches, when this happens, the pastor’s paycheck is the first thing to go.

This leads to the pastor having to take an outside job to provide for their own family; which in turn causes the pastor to be less available for the spiritual needs of the church; which may cause grumbling inside the church body.

So the local pastor has to try and balance his or her life in such a manner as to be effective both inside and outside of the church; leading both the church and his family. When this balance gets out of whack . . . stress sets in!

During one of those stressful seasons inside our church, I allowed circumstances to overpower my reasoning and I lashed out . . . here’s how it went down from my point of view.

As many small churches do, we were struggling to maintain our facility. Having acquired a rather large structure; the cost of operations were beginning to eclipse our ability to financially cover them. I voluntarily ceased receiving a paycheck from the church and did small jobs on the side to make ends meet; too often the ends did not meet and I grew frustrated.

The responsibility for the upkeep of the building did not subside, but rather increased, so we needed to call out the church folks to help with these ongoing efforts.

However the volunteer turnouts were always very small and those who could actually do the kind of work we needed done, would rarely come out. Finances dropped even further and a sense of defeat and frustration began to well up inside me!

One of the blessings of being a pastor is that you know a great deal about all of the families inside your church; and sometimes that blessing can become a curse!

I noticed that many of the folks, who had the means to help, would not, while those who had meager means were giving all; and I grew even more frustrated.

I spent much time in prayer and seeking the Lord over how to address this issue without coming across as attacking any person or persons specifically; which is one of those “cardinal” sins a pastor should never commit!

So with God’s help, I crafted a stinging message that I would deliver, which I felt would address the problem.You can read that message HERE if you like.

Sunday came and I delivered the message with passion and zeal; you could say, as some did, it was a “Fire and Brimstone” sort of message! There were 14 visitors in the church that Sunday and I recall many of them were so encouraged and challenged.

One couple who lived nearly a 100 miles away from us who were visiting family that week; began supporting the church financially; giving over a third of our budget that year!

So, the message went very well, some of the regular folks went out that day with great conviction; so the mission was accomplished.

However . . . I could not leave well enough alone!

It was during the summer; that’s why the large group of visitors that day; however, there were many of our regular folks, who were out that Sunday, many of whom I perceived “needed” to hear this message; so I decided I would preach the same message the following Sunday for those who missed it!

I would give another blistering delivery; making sure they got the point!

Sunday came; and again, a number of the very people I had hoped to have in attendance were gone again; but I went ahead and delivered the message. There seemed to be a rather striking difference however; the power and presence of God was void; the message came out OK; same as before . . . the same Scripture, the same illustrations; but the Spirit of God was gone.

The faces of those in attendance went from conviction to guilt; the results of that second message were that a handful of people would leave the church and never return. In retrospect; I don’t blame them at all; I likely would have left too!

As I reflected on the situation later that week; I asked God; “It was the same message, same Scripture; what went wrong?” And that is when God said; “Rock, if you can’t say is out of love; even if you’re right, you’re wrong.”

A seasoned Free Methodist Pastor; Rev Bob Brest of the Bradford First Free Methodist Church, used to tell us in regards to being a shepherd; “You can sheer sheep really close many times, but you can only skin a sheep once.”

I skinned a few sheep that day and they may never recover, and for that, I will be held accountable.

In the following weeks, I would stand before the congregation several times, publicly apologizing for stepping out of bounds . . . lesson learned! I hope by sharing these lessons of humility, you may avoid some of the pitfalls that I fell into.

The most painful lessons we learn in life, are the ones we learn at the expense of others.

So, if you can’t say it out of love . . . don’t say it!

Sep

2017

Searching for Big Foot . . . Seriously?

In 1996 while driving down an old country road, I drove past the Old Gardeau Community Church; located about 3 1/5 miles from Sizerville State Park. As I drove by this old church; which had been closed for about 6 years, I told the Lord how awful it was that this aged church was shut down!

Later that same night, a feisty old lady by the name of Arlene Walker, called me out of the blue! Arlene was a tough lady with a heart of gold. She called me and this is what she said; “Hello, this is Arlene Walker, me and a bunch of us old ladies wants to get the Gardeau Church opened again and heard you were a preacher now. Will you come up here and open this church?”

WOW! I told her I would consider it and get back to her. After she hung up, I told the Lord; “well that was quick!” After a little more prayer and talking it over with Sherri, we decided to go forward and open the old church.

The church needed a great deal of work; so we all dug in and cleaned the bugs, bats, and mice out, the best we could, and we started holding services there . . . oh, the stories that this old church could tell!

After several years, we decided the church could use a paint job; so I took on the project. I got a pressure washer and took all the old paint off of the church; it was a pretty big job. I primed the entire structure, and then proceeded to paint everything!

When it was all done; I stood back and admired the work . . . it turned out pretty nice, even if I do say somyself! Getting a little “puffed up” over how nice thechurch looked; God decided it was time to deflate me a bit.

One Sunday, a few weeks after the paint job was done, as I was getting ready to close up the church and head home, I noticed a gentleman drive up in a car and get out, heading over to the church. I could see that he was carrying a camcorder and a clipboard. My head started to swell with pride; clearly, he was here to do a story on the old church and how beautiful it looked now!

The Gardeau Community Church

As I floated my ego out the door to greet this man, he came over to me, shook my hand, and asked me if I was the pastor. Beaming, I told him I was, and then he pointed across the road toward a valley and asked me if that was Parker Run. Confused by his question a bit; I told him that it was indeed Parker Run.

The man then turned to me and handed me his business card. He told me that he was here to investigate a Bigfoot sighting! WHAT! Bigfoot here? I looked at the business card; “Pennsylvania Bigfoot Society, Timblin, Pa.”

He went on to say that a good Christian man owned a camp up there and he reported seeing a Bigfoot recently. I thought to myself; “That a good Christian man may have been seriously backslidden up there with some Jack Daniels and maybe saw a black bear . . . but a Bigfoot . . . Come On!”

This gentleman asked if anyone reported seeing a Bigfoot in the area. I told him that no one had mentioned anything to me about seeing a Bigfoot anywhere around these parts.

Now I did tell him that my son and I had hiked up Parker Run recently, which we did, and that the only thing we saw up there were a large population of beavers. About 3 miles up it looked like a Lincoln log factory; with beaver dams all over the place.

The man turned around quickly and with excitement in his voice, said “no way!” I said, “Yep, lots of beavers up there.” The man looked me squarely in the eyes and with conviction told me that beaver was Bigfoot’s favorite food!

I thought I was going to die! It was all I could do to keep from losing it. The man jotted down a few things, thanked me for the info and off he went.

Ego effectively deflated . . . And who said God does not have a sense of humor!

For many years I carried that business card in my wallet and I would pull it out occasionally and share it with fellow pastors saying . . . “You know you pastor a country church, when . . .

Hope this one made you smile!

Proverbs 17:22

A joyful heart is good medicine, But a broken spirit dries up the bones.

Aug

2017

Wild Haired Man From Minnesota

“God has a very interesting way of teaching us the most valuable lessons in life. The following true story highlights a powerful lesson in humility.”

I believe the year was 1997; it was still early in our ministry journey. During that particular time, I was the pastor of 3 churches which were Emporium and Austin; both Free Methodist churches and the Gardeau Community Church; a small non-denominational country church which we reopened in 1996.

My Sunday routine was to preach in the Austin church at 9:00 am, and then hustle back to Emporium for an 11:00 o’clock service, followed by a 1:00 pm afternoon service in Gardeau. By the time I finished my circuit; I was often pretty spent and would just relax the rest of the day.

On this particular Sunday, I had preached on the topic of going the extra mile, and serving your neighbor . . . And who is your neighbor after all . . . you know, the kind of preachy stuff, preachers preach.

Well, when I got home, I remember sitting on the back stoop of the parsonage; the smell of Sherri’s famous beef barley soup, wafting through the air. I remember whispering a prayer to the Lord; “please, I hope no one interrupts this quiet, peaceful afternoon . . . I just want to rest.”

Well, it only took about 10 minutes for the telephone to ring and it happened to be the cleaning lady down at the First Baptist Church. It was Anna, a very sweet elderly lady, who would straighten up the church following the Sunday morning activities.

She called; asking me if I could help her; it seems there was a man there who had stopped by the church, claiming to be almost out of gasoline. He was asking if the church could give him some gas money.

She went on to tell me that her pastor was away that weekend and she didn’t know what to do. So, not wanting to be disturbed on my “Sabbath Day,” I suggested that she refer this man to the United Methodist Church and Rev. John Spahr, who was also the treasurer of the Cameron County Ministerial Association.

I told Anna that he should be able to help this man with some money for gas. Anna hesitated a moment and said; “Well, okay pastor, I will tell him that,” and she hung up the phone.

It only took about a millisecond after she hung up the phone before the Lord kicked me squarely in the pants!

He said; “Rock, what are you doing? There’s an elderly lady, one block from where you are, talking to a man she doesn’t know who wants money from the church! Now go!”

Well that’s all I needed to hear, and I realized how un-thoughtful and self-centered I was; so I ran out, jumped in the car and sped down the end of the street, and when I got to the stop sign I looked over and I saw this man, with what I can only describe as having “wild hair” standing by a car gesturing towards Anna.

Anna was obviously waving goodbye to him as he climbed into his car with Minnesota license plates. I noticed as he was getting into his car that he fired up a cigarette; his dog looking out the window at him.

The man pulled away and drove down the street. I became indignant and I thought to myself; here is a guy just out ripping off churches taking money from the Lord so he can just fill his gas tank, buy cigarettes and keep on bumming around the country! Disgusted, I turned the corner and went back home.

As I was parking the car in front of our house and as I was getting ready to get out; the Lord rebuked me again! Only this time he said; “Tell me Rock, who did you say that guy was ripping off?” I said; “Well, You of course; this man is just running around out there, trying to take money from the church, an easy target and I think it’s despicable.”

Then the Lord said this to me, and it was about to change the way I view people forever!

He said; “Rock, My pockets are deep and I will give to whom I will give and I will take from whom I will take and you are not to judge anyone in that respect. Do I make myself clear?” “Yes Lord;” I said, as I climbed out of the car.

My head was hanging low as I headed into the house; having been rebuked sharply by the Lord twice in the span of 20 minutes!

As I reached the front door, the Lord began talking to me again . . . Oh boy!

He said; “Rock, this is what you’re going to do. Go inside your house and take all of the beef barley soup that your wife has made for dinner; yes Rock, all of it! You’re going to put it in a container, and you’re going to take the loaf of bread that your wife bought this morning for dinner too. Then you’re going to take it to this man and give it to him. Not only that; the money in your pocket; yes Rock, all of it, every last penny, you are going to give that to this man as well.”

So, quite flustered, I went into the kitchen and began to put the soup in a container and Sherri looked at me asking;“Can’t you wait just a few more minutes for dinner” and I said; “No honey I can’t; I’m on a mission.

God has told me to do something and I don’t have time to explain, just trust me, I have to do this.” Sherri stood there and watched incredulously, as I poured all the soup into a container; grabbed a loaf of bread and hurried out the door.

I jumped in my car and rushed down to the United MethodistChurch to see if this man was there, but he was not. I drove to the other end of town, driving back and forth several times, looking up and down the streets; I couldn’t find him an anywhere!

I told the Lord how sorry I was, that I regretted how hard of heart I had been, and asked him to forgive me. I told him I would never let this happen again and so I began to head back to the house; thankful for the lesson, and also a wee bit thankful that I could still have the beef barley soup, which was still hot sitting next to me in the passenger seat.

As I was about to turn the corner onto the street where the parsonage was, God told me to pull over and stop. I stopped the car and the Lord said; “Rock, where would you go if you were in this town and you had no money, you had no food, and you were tired; where would you go?”

Immediately I thought about a big tree at the end of a street not far from the United Methodist Church. I would park my car under that tree because of the heat of the day, and the Lord said; “go there.”

I immediately turned around and I drove down to where that tree was, and there, parked under that tree, was an old beat-up car from Minnesota!

I pulled my car up close, got out and I knocked on the window. The little dog started barking, and the wild-haired man jumped up shirtless; quickly pulling on a T-shirt, and as he did, I noticed the whole left side of his chest was bruised badly.

He stepped out of the car looking concerned; perhaps thinking I was going to tell him to leave. I explained that a lady from the Baptist church had called me and suggested that he may need some help.

I told him that I was there to see if I could help in some way. I presented him with the hot soup and bread, and I told him that it was really, really fresh . . . and still piping hot! I also reached into my pocket and gave him the money I had, hoping that it would help him get a little further on his journey; wherever that was.

The man looked at me and he was so grateful; and with emotion in his voice, he told me that his mother, who lived in upstate New York, had passed away about a month ago; he was trying to get to her grave site to pay his respects. He really thought he had enough money to get there, but now he found himself here in the mountains of Pennsylvania, only about 250 miles from this destination, broke and feeling rather hopeless.

He said he had been working in a lumber yard in Minnesota, and about 2 weeks ago there was an accident and a log rolled over him; possibly breaking a few ribs.

We talked for a while and I prayed for him. He was so very thankful for the food and the money and he felt he would be able to get to his destination.

I’m thankful for a God who loves me enough to take me to the Woodshed when I need to go there. I’m thankful for the God who loves people more than I do. He loves the outcast; the downtrodden; He loves the poor, those that are hungry, those without money; and He especially loves the wild-haired guys of this world!

The biggest take away from this encounter is the fact that as a follower of Jesus, all we have, all we own, is at His disposal. We must be aware of this fact; otherwise, we begin to think that somehow what we possess belongs to us and we will hoard it; selfishly grasping things that can be used for His purposes.

God wants to lift us up, so we can view life from His perspective; from the UP-SIDE! From there, we get a whole new perception of life down on earth. We begin to see things His way and we can then begin to live life His way!

So . . . when you see someone ripping off the church, or a stranger sitting by the road with a sign; be careful how you view them; God certainly knows the . . . rest of the story; perhaps you will be fortunate enough to learn it!

Matthew 25:38-40 (NASB)

And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’

Aug

2017

A Chipmunk, Jesus, and Me

I want to tell you a story about a chipmunk, Jesus and me.

It was one of those days where things just seemed out of sorts; to put it bluntly; “I just wasn’t feeling it.” It was especially bad that day because it was Sunday morning, and I was about to go preach a sermon soon!

Have you ever have one of those days where ya just weren’t feeling it?

I had questions that I needed answers to, and even though I was praying for it, I was getting nothing!

Overlooking Emporium

So, as was my custom, every Sunday morning I would go up to this spot on the mountain overlooking our community to pray and seek God.

I jumped in my truck and headed up!

I recall standing there for a few minutes praying and not feeling like I was getting anywhere, and then I did something out of desperation. I stood there, and in the loudest voice possible, I shouted out the name . . . “Jesus” . . . and I said it again as loud as I could . . . “Jesus.”

I waited a minute or so listening, almost expecting that He might come out of the clouds and talk to me! I needed to hear from Him and so I shouted again as loud as I could . . . “Jesus” and again . . . “ Jesus” and I listened for a reply.

As I stood there listening, I heard a noise; looking down I saw something rustling in the leaves, it was a little chipmunk, and it ran right up in front of me, about 5 ft from where I stood!

He stood up on his hind legs, looked at me holding an acorn in his front paws, chewing on it while looking at me. He studied me for about 10 seconds and took off, running down into the woods and up a tree.

I stood there and laughed at what I had seen and then it dawned; that little fella knew His Name! As I laughed, I looked up toward heaven and I said; “I think he knows your name.”

You can call me strange, but in that moment, I felt as if God was drawing very near; and He said to me; “He does know My name.”

And then the Lord said; “I’m glad that you know My name too. I heard you calling out to me.”

At that moment, the closeness of Jesus washed over me; and that day, which started pretty rough, actually turned out to be a really, really good day.

After spending some time with Jesus up there on the mountain, I couldn’t even remember what my questions were; they must not have been all that important after all; just being with him was more than enough!

If you ever find yourself having one of those days, and you just don’t know what to do; call out the Name of Jesus, do it with passion and wait for Him to respond . . . and don’t be to surprised if a few furry friends are watching!

The Bible . . . Book of Job 12:7-10 (NASB)

“But now ask the beasts, and let them teach you; And the birds of the heavens, and let them tell you. “Or speak to the earth, and let it teach you; And let the fish of the sea declare to you. “Who among all these does not know That the hand of the Lord has done this, In whose hand is the life of every living thing, And the breath of all mankind?

Aug

2017

HATE IS LIKE RABIES

Rabies is a life-threatening condition that causes thousands of deaths worldwide. It is caused by a virus that attacks the central nervous system. The virus is transmitted via bites and scratches from infected animals.

History reveals the gruesome fate of those infected. They literally go mad and insanity sets in; some have even reportedly begun frothing at the mouth!

Hate begins and ends in much the same way. It usually starts with nips and bites from infected people, and if left untreated ultimately it will destroy the host leading to frothing of the mouth and death of the heart.

There seems to be an awful lot of frothing-at-the-mouth going on these days, a clear indication that the disease of hate has spread to the heart; I pray it does not affect you.

The only cure for hate is love and true love is only found in one spot and that is in the heart of the Man we call Jesus.

If you think you may have been infected by this awful disease, there is a cure, but the time to receive that cure is short, so don’t hesitate. Seek out this Jesus and he will administer the Cure and you will be set free and filled with love.

Jesus said concerning this generation . . . “Because of the increase of wickedness the love of most will grow cold.”

Let it not be said of you!

Aug

2017

Rock & Sherri’s New Website

Well, hello there! I have been pondering the idea of a website for our new ministry endeavor; “Faith – Upside Down” and have put it off long enough!

Over the course of the next few months, we will be adding content to this site and learning all the ins and outs of website development . . . I am quite clueless, but nonetheless willing to learn. I guess you can teach an old dog new tricks . . . but it “taint” easy!

The truth is simple; you see no one is born a Christian.

We keep seeking, searching and looking; we get closer and closer

He scrimped and saved to make ends meet

He always wished he could have done more

Use caution when pursuing financial gain

I remember one Christmas in particular, that stands out above all the rest.

The whole neighborhood got involved

Mom always wanted the perfect Christmas tree

Dad goes for a store-bought Christmas tree.

When we stop to consider what God has done, we come away stunned!

It was in this world of hopelessness and despair that God brought forth His One and Only Son!

God has given us the most incredible gift; the gift of Life by giving His Son.

What about this Gift God sent? Do we really need it? Is it for you?

Jesus is the ultimate expression of God’s love for us! Jesus is God’s gift to us; this is why we celebrate!

Check these Bible passages out:

Light drives out darkness

Now, Jesus passes that mantle into you!

The Upward Way, Pressing onward to Christ

The Bible seems to have a similar strategy for us to follow as well

Scripture:

Tradition:

Experience:

Reason:

Could it be that the need to belong has superseded the need to be converted to Christ?

Self-deception is a powerful tool the enemy uses to keep people deluded right up to the end!

We must ask . . . Where is the POWER of the Church!

What then is the power of God which is lacking?

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